cause of insanity, were frequently the first effects of it, and this is an instance. A contemporary writer on insanity, goes a little out of his way to stigmatize the Methodists as the frequent cause of insanity; and in walking with him through his own Hospital, which contained at that time about a hundred and fifty patients, he pointed out two old women, who were, he said, Methodists." On this case we shall leave the reader to make his own comments; and shall now dismiss the consideration of Mr. Bakewell's tract, by merely remarking, that we think some credit is due to him for his courage in crying down the common cant-for cant it is-that religion is so much the occasion of madness. The last in the list of the pamphlets under notice, is penned by no common hand. It contains in the first place a general sketch of the act of the 14th of his present Majesty, intituled "an act for regulating Madhouses," which is followed by ap outline of the "Bill to repeal that act, and for making other provisions in lieu thereof," which passed through the House of Commons in the year 1814. The objections of the writer to this last bill are made against that part of it, in which it principally differs from the previous one, viz. to the mode of granting licences, and the powers given to the visiters. We do not perceive the validity of his objections respecting the application of new laws to establishments already existing, for such an enforcement would not, as in the case of apothecaries and attorneys, deprive the individuals to whom they should apply, of their means of sustenance; and, it should be recollected, that one of the prime objects which the framers of the new bill had in view, was to correct already existing abuses in lunatic establishments. Nor does it appear to us, that the person to be licensed must be so hardly dealt with by the discretionary powers being vested in the hands of the commissioners, for independently of the circumstance of such commissioners being chosen from a liberal and respectable class of men, there would be very little apprehensions of sinister motives guiding their decision, inasmuch as the refusal of a licence, or impediments of any kind to the present licentiate's views and wishes, would not be the act merely of one individual. It would appear, however, as far as relates to the laws of visiting, to be a greater safeguard to the rights of the masters of houses, were the visiting magistrates in the county districts required to be at least four instead of two in number; and it would be, perhaps, expedient, that two of these four should be selected from gentlemen resident in a part of the county distant from that in which the establishment existed; as too much care cannot be used to prevent the operation of local prejudices and party interests. It is to be recollected that both Commissioners aud visiters, in case of their decisions being inconsistent with justice, are liable to be convicted of improper conduct, by the act giving to the aggrieved person a power of appeal. With respect to the right of removal being in the hands of the visiters, we think, upon the whole, that this is calculated to have a salutary effect as an in terrorem preventive of abuses; and it is not likely that the censors in question would very readily take upon themselves the heavy responsibility of ordering the liberation of any individual, unless the proofs of sanity were of too marked a character to admit of indecision or doubt. That clause in the Act, which requires the visiters of asylums to direct that one or more accessible pumps be placed in certain parts of the premises, we think liable to all the objections which the Author brings against it. We think too, that his charge of injustice is valid against that clause of the bill relating to payments of licenses for a part of the year however small. But our limits prevent us from pursuing the subject further, and we shall now bring the discussion to a close, by again stating, in a very few words, our general sentiments respecting the treatment of insanity, and on what has been already, and ought further to be done, towards meliorating the condition of the unhappy subjects of mental derange ment. It will have been gathered from what has been advanced in the course of these pages, that our dependence on medicine, merely, is exceedingly small. There is a want of tangible decision, if we may so express it, in the pathology of lunacy; and its treatment must, by consequence, be, at present at least, in a great measure empirical. If any medicinal agents deserve to be preferred to others in affections of the mind, they are, perhaps, purgatives, regularly and perseveringly administered, and the warm-bath. Our few short extracts afford sufficient evidence of what is to be done by air, exercise, cleanliness, classification of patients, duly regulated bodily and mental occupation, and lastly, assiduous endeavours on the part of the superintendents to excite new trains of thought, and new habits and associations. It will have been remarked, that in those establishments in which the above advantages were insared to the sufferers by the skill and humanity of the keepers, good was in the same proportion invariably ef fected. In regard to legislative enactment, we really think that Mr. Rose's bill, a little modified, might effect all that is désirable to be done. There is, however, in our judgement, a VOL. V. N. S. Bb loud call for County Establishments. These ought not to be optional, but compulsory, and each county should bear its own expenditure. The erections ought not to be suffered, until a plan of the building, its situation, and dimensions, shall have been presented to, and approved of, by the commissioners of lunatic asylums. These buildings, when erected and occupied, should be subjected to precisely the same regulations and restrictions as the private asylums; and it would of course be desirable to avoid every expense that is not necessary to the comfort and well-being of the inmates of the respective houses. We may in conclusion express our belief, that a certain degree of reform must be the consequence of the investigation that has been excited, and of the regulations that are proposed; and although experience teaches us in cases of this kind not to expect perfection, yet we feel convinced that much and lasting good will be conferred upon the community, by the recent labours of the House of Commons to improve the condition of Madhouses in England. ERRATA IN THE LAST NUMBER. Page 164, line 10 from bottom, for sublimity, read subtlety. *** We are obliged by want of room, to defer several articles of Literary Information, and other matter. ART. XI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending Information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the Public, if consistent with its plan. the In the press, An Essay on the Being of God, and his attributes of Infinite Power, Wisdom, and Goodness; stating and refuting the objections to his Wisdom and Goodness, from Reason and Revelation, and drawing the most useful practical inference from whole subject: to which Burnett's First Prize of £1200 was adjudged, August 4th, 1815, to which is prefixed a Biographical Sketch of Mr. Burnett's Life: by W. L. Brown, D.D. Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen. The Travels of Col. Keating in Europe and Africa, are nearly ready for publication. The translation of Mad. de Genlis' new historical Novel, entitled Jane of France, will appear in a few days. Also the Journal of a ten years Resi dence at Tripoli, in Africa, from the original correspondence in the possession of the family of the late Richard Tully, Esq. the British Consul, in a quarto volume. The Poems of Milton, Thomson, Young, and a few other leading Authors, will shortly be published, with new embellishments from the designs of Mr. Westall. The Rev. Dr. Mc Leod, of New York, is about to publish in one volume 8vo. a work entitled, The Life aud Power of Godliness, described in a Series of Discourses on the nature, progress, evidences and perfection of true religion in man. It is proposed that an impression of the work be printed at the same time in Paisley, cotemporaneously with the American edition. There is likewise about to be pub. lished at Paisley, in a small 12mo. volume, a work by the same author, entitled The Ecclesiastical Catechism; being a Series of Questions, relative to the Christian Church, stated and answered with Scripture Proofs; to which are appended Notes explanatory of the points in controversy with the Episcopalians and Independents. Bb 2 The Rev. Mr. Cox, of Hackney, has been engaged for some time on an abridgement of the late Mr. Robinson's Scripture Characters, in one volume 12mo. for the use of young people and of schools, which is nearly ready. A new edition, with considerable additions, is in a state of forwardness, of The Principles of Fluxions; by the Rev. W. Dealtry, B.D. F.R.S. and late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Mr. A. Picquot, author of the Ancient and Modern Geography, will shortly publish, in a small duodecimo volume, for the use of Schools, A New and Easy Introduction to French Grammar; designed as a First Step to that useful language. In the press, and in a few days will be published, in octavo, price 2s. 6d. Moscow; a Poem, by Mrs. Henry Rolls, Authoress of Sacred Sketches, &c. In a few days will appear, a new edition of Diatessaron: or, the History of our Lord Jesus Christ, compiled from the four Gospels, according to the au thorised English version; with brief notes, practical and explanatory: which are prefixed, a Map of the Holy Land, and an Introduction. By the Rev. T. Thirlwall, M. A. In one volume, duodecimo, for the use of Schools. to Mr. T. Williams is preparing for the press, An Essay on Religious Liberty, in which will be considered,-The Primitive Terms of Communion, the right of Private Judgement, the nature of Christ's Kingdom, and the horrid effects of intolerance. In the press, to be speedily published, The City of the Plague, a dramatic Poem. By John Wilson, Author of the Isle of Palms, &c. Mr. Horace Twiss will soon publisir, a Compendium of the Law of Parish Appeals, condensed into one volume, as a manual for the quarter sessions. W. T. Brande, esq. has nearly ready to appear, a Descriptive Catalogue of the British Specimens deposited in the Geological Collection of the Royal Institution. Results of Experience in the Art of Tuition, forming the basis of the system adopted by W. Johnstone, A.M. at the classical school, Blackheath Hill, is preparing for the press. Mr. R. Hills has in the press, Sketches in Flanders and Holland, comprising a Tour through the Low Countries, immediately subsequent to the battle of Waterloo, illustrated by thirty-six plates. Mr. William Phillips has nearly me, a ready, in a duodecimo volu Elementary Introduction to the Knowledge of Mineralogy and of Minerals. A History of the Kingdom of Hanover, and of the Family of Brunswick, in a quarto volume, with engravings, is nearly ready to appear. Mr. W. Salisbury has in the press, Hints addressed to the Proprietors of Orchards, and Growers of Fruit in general, illustrative of the injuries trees are subject to in the present mode of culture. Mr. Robert Buchanan, of Glasgow, will soon publish a work on the history and construction of Steam Boats, illus trated by numerous engravings. Art. XII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. BIOGRAPHY. Remains of William Reed, late of Thornbury; including Rambles in Ireland, with other Compositions in Prose, his Correspondence, and Poetical Productions. To which is prefixed, a Memor of his Life; by the Rev. John Evans, Author of the Ponderer. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Supplement to the Memoirs of Sir Joshua Reynolds. By J. Northcote, Esq. R.A. 4to. 15s. CLASSICAL LITERATURE. Euripidis Alcestis. Ad fidem mannscriptorum ac veterum editionum emendavit, et annotationes instruxit 1. H. Monk, A.M. Coll. S.S. Trin. Socius, &c. Accedit Georgii Buchanaui Versio Metrica, 8vo. 6s. 6d. EDUCATION. D. Junii Juvenalis Satire Expurgata, &c. With English Notes, for the use of Schools. By the Rev. William Wilson, A.M. Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, &c. 5s. FINE ARTS. An Etching by Bromley from a whole length Portrait of H. G. the Duke of Wellington, painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence for the Prince Regent. Taylor's Egypt, illustrated by a Series of Plates, from Denon's draw¡ngs, royal folio, Parts 3 and 4. 5s. each. HISTORY. A Narrative of the Demolition of the Monastery of Port Royal des Champs; including Biographical Memoirs of its later Inhabitants. By Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck, Author of Theory On the Classification of Beauty and De formity; &c. crown 8vo. 7s. 6d. bds. MEDICINE. A Familiar Treatise on Rheumatism, and Rheumatic Affections, with domestic Methods of Cure. By William Hickman. 1s. 6d. The Fifth Volume of the Medical Transactions of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 8vo. 12s. bds. MENSURATION. A Treatise on Practical Mensuration, in eight parts. By A. Nesbit, 12mo. 6s. MISCELLANEOUS. The Danger of Premature Interment, proved from many remarkable In stances of People who have recovered after being laid out for dead, and of others entombed alive, for want of being properly examined prior to Inter ment. Also a Description of the Manner the Ancient Egyptians and other Nations, preserved and venerated their Dead; and a curious Account of their Sepulchral ever-burning Lamps and Mausoleums. The pernicious Effects of burying in the Body of Churches, and confined Church-yards, pointed out, whereby many valuable Lives have been lost to the Public and their Friends. By Joseph Taylor, 12mo. 4s. 6d. bds. An Account of the First Edinburgh |